Mrs.Bunce was made to understand that liberties would probably be taken with the house, such as had not yet been perpetrated in her time;--for the late heir had never made the Manor his home from the time of his leaving school.

It was felt by all that great changes were to be effected,--and it was felt also that the young man on whose behalf all this was to be permitted, could not but be elated by his position.

Of such elation, however, there were not many signs.

To his uncle, Fred Neville was, as has been said, modest and submissive; to his aunt he was gentle but not submissive.

The rest of the household he treated civilly, but with none of that awe which was perhaps expected from him.